The Foundation Of Your Times

bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A

fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger

brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow

to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done."

The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, taking each other’s hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No,

wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you," said the

older brother.

"I’d love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges

to build."

Wisdom will also guide and protect you from the pitfalls of life.

Prov 2:1-7… My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;

b. Wisdom will provide comfort and confidence in times of turmoil

Prov 3:21-26… Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way,

And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

For the LORD will be your confidence,

God is willing to provide such wisdom to those willing to look to Him! –

James 1:5-8… If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

B. Our stability of the times also comes through salvation...

Salvation is a clear issue frond in scripture but we tend to be like the "Frank and Ernest" cartoon in which:

A lawyer and his client are sitting in the law office and the client says to him, "The question of right and wrong is very clear. I want you to cloud it up for me."

2. The salvation of the Lord can help us face DEATH

a. If we know the Lord will save us in eternity, we can better

face the adverse circumstances of this life

b. Consider the example of Paul:

1) He had a strong hope - 2 Co 5:1,5-8

2) His attitude because of that hope

2 Cor 4:16-5:1… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Rom 8:31-39… What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?